The life of 25-year-old Amal Babu was cut tragically short, but his family finds solace in the knowledge that his spirit will live on in the lives of many others. On October 12, around 9 p.m., Amal was heading home to Thachottukavu, Malayinkil, when his motorbike was involved in a collision with a car near Kundamonkadavu. Despite receiving intensive care at a private hospital, he was declared brainstem dead on October 15, paving the way for a remarkable act of generosity.
Demonstrating immense courage in their grief, Amal’s family made the selfless decision to donate his organs. The Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (K-SOTTO) immediately sprang into action, coordinating swiftly with various hospitals to identify suitable recipients from the critical waiting list, all suffering from end-stage organ failure.
A Race Against Time: The Air Ambulance Mission
In a miraculous turn of events, Amal’s heart now beats within the chest of a 33-year-old man from Ponnani, Malappuram, currently receiving treatment at Lisie Hospital, Kochi. Following the successful harvesting of the organ by the surgical team from Lisie, the heart was swiftly transported via the State’s air ambulance to Kochi. Upon arrival, local police facilitated a ‘green channel,’ ensuring an unobstructed and rapid road transfer of the precious organ to the hospital, maximizing the chances of a successful transplant.
Beyond the heart transplant, Amal’s liver and one of his kidneys provided a new lifeline to patients at KIMSHEALTH, and his other kidney was successfully transplanted at the Government Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.
Kerala’s Health Minister, Veena George, expressed her deepest condolences to Amal’s family, commending their profound generosity. She extended her gratitude to K-SOTTO, the police force, district administration officials, dedicated doctors, hospital staff, and ambulance teams, whose coordinated efforts made these life-saving donations possible.
A New Dawn for Organ Donation in Kerala
This heroic act signals a hopeful revival for Mrithasanjeevani, the State government’s deceased donor organ donation program. After a period of decline stemming from controversies surrounding brain death certification, the program is experiencing renewed public trust and participation in this vital, selfless endeavor.
Significantly, this marks the third deceased donor organ donation in Kerala within just a few weeks, indicating a positive shift in attitudes. Amal is survived by his loving family: his father A. Babu, a retired Sub Inspector of Police; his mother, Shimla; and his sister, Arya.